The best bit of magic, however, may have come at the start of our
evening in a brief work entitled “Voices Shouting Out,” which is a
wistful, percussive wonder composed by Nkeiru Okoye in the aftermath of
September 11, 2001. The voices in this case are orchestral instruments
whose “shouting out” creates a bold imagery reminiscent of Aaron
Copeland, with similar themes of nationalistic pride, honor, and
grandeur. It is not surprising that such a deeply expressive piece was
sketched out in the course of an evening and performed only six weeks
later. The reflective, celebratory mood of this short work is sure to
see its popularity continue to rise.

Of course, “Voices Shouting Out” has been around for well over a decade, just as Edmund Thornton Jenkins’ Rhapsody
has been around for almost a century. But only now—and thanks only to
the Colour of Music—are we hearing these exquisite works performed live
in Charleston. Let’s just hope that we don’t also become too small for
this unprecedented festival that has only recently taken flight, but
which is sure to soar to great heights in the years ahead.